Methods and systems for provisioning network services

ABSTRACT

Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offering via the communications device a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to a service provider&#39;s network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, the at least one capability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at least one service option from the plurality of service options, providing via the agent a user connection address.

BACKGROUND

United States Patent Application 20030172170, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety, allegedly cites that a “communicationssystem and method is provided that includes multiple networked devicesconnected in a local area network and connected, via a gateway havingenhanced functionality, to a wide area network such as the Internetusing one or more Internet service providers. The system includes asource routing device (130), at least two networked customer premiseequipment devices (118, 120), a gateway (123) for controllingcommunication between the source routing device (130) and the customerpremise equipment devices (118, 120) and an address server (132) forproviding the gateway (123) with at least two dynamically assignedInternet protocol addresses corresponding to different Internet serviceproviders (138, 140) to enable each of the customer premise equipmentdevices (118, 120) to establish simultaneous connections with thedifferent Internet service providers (138, 140).” See Abstract.

United States Patent Application 20030169752, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety, allegedly cites that a “integratedphone-based home gateway system is disclosed. The integrated phone-basedhome gateway system includes a broadband communication device, such asdigital subscriber line (‘DSL’) device, an analog modem, a wirelessinterface, integrated into a screen-phone for providing broadbandcommunication service to home users. Multiple home users are able toaccess the Internet and the content services for conducting e-commerce,receiving content news, entertaining on-demand, making audio or videocommunications, and telecommuting or working at home. This screen-phonebased, modular, plug-n-play home gateway interface allows in-home aswell as to-home networking, provides automatic data and broadbandinitialization, configuration and service provisioning, routing andbridging functionality and allows resource sharing among home devicesvia the existing phone wire, wireless, coaxial or optical cableconnections.” See Abstract.

United States Patent Application 20030055945, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety, allegedly cites a “services definitionlanguage for seamlessly creating and maintaining services over a networkservice reduces deployment time, cost, and maintenance, and increasesreliability. An executable element generator is operable to processmodule scripts, such as an XML (Extensible Markup Language) script,recognized across the execution environment. Each module scriptdescribes a network element, service, or subscription. A plurality ofavailable services are defined, in which each of the available servicescorresponds to one or more of the module scripts. A script processorinterprets the module script and provides it to executable elementgenerators conversant in the script language, which process the modulescripts via a GUI to produce executable objects. A service provisioningengine is operable to execute the executable objects for providing thecorresponding service via the network.” See Abstract.

United States Patent Application 20030120750, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety, allegedly cites that the “provisioningof user preferences to a device or service is described. According toone embodiment of the invention, upon detecting a coupling of a device,a presumed user of the device is determined. The user preferences of thepresumed user are retrieved and used to configure the device. Inaddition, particular services are loaded and unloaded from the devicebased on the user preferences of the presumed user of the device.” SeeAbstract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential embodiments will be more readily understoodthrough the following detailed description, with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method 2000;and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an informationdevice 3000.

SUMMARY

Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising:automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communicationsdevice to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offeringvia the communications device a plurality of user-selectable serviceoptions relating to a service provider's network and relating to atleast one capability of the communications device, the at least onecapability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at leastone service option from the plurality of service options, providing viathe agent a user connection address.

DEFINITIONS

When the following terms are used herein, the accompanying definitionsapply:

-   -   user—a customer or recipient of a service.    -   request—an expression of human desire.    -   service—an activity provided for the benefit of another.    -   service provider—an entity that offers to provide a service via        a network.    -   network—a communicatively-coupled plurality of communication        devices. Examples include wired and/or wireless communications        networks, such as public, private, circuit-switched,        packet-switched, connection-less, virtual, radio, telephone,        POTS, non-POTS, PSTN, non-PSTN, cellular, cable, DSL, satellite,        microwave, twisted pair, IEEE 802.03, Ethernet, token ring,        local area, wide area, IP, Internet, intranet, wireless, Ultra        Wide Band (UWB), Wi-Fi, BlueTooth, Airport, IEEE 802.11, IEEE        802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, X-10, and/or electrical        power networks, etc., and/or any equivalents thereof.    -   agent—a set of instructions comprised in hardware, firmware,        and/or software.    -   installation—a state of being installed.    -   premises—land and/or the buildings on it.    -   coupling—the act of linking together.    -   physical connection—a tangible link.    -   automatically—acting or operating in a manner essentially        independent of external influence or control. For example, an        automatic light switch can turn on upon “seeing” a person in its        view, without the person manually operating the light switch.    -   detecting—the act of sensing or perceiving.    -   communications device—an information device comprising at least        three of the following capabilities: processing, transmitting,        receiving, and rendering.    -   local network—a network located substantially on the same        premises as the user.    -   service options—collections of parameters relating to a service        or multiple services. For example, for an e-mail service, a user        selectable e-mail address, a quantity of e-mail addresses, an        e-mail server storage capacity, a service provider network        connection speed, a number of connectable communications        devices, an e-mail pricing plan, etc. As another example, for a        telephone service, a calling plan, a call pricing plan, a        call-waiting service, a caller ID service, an audio quality, a        number of connectable communications devices, etc.    -   capability—an ability that has potential for use. Examples        include the type of device (e.g., POTS telephone, IP phone        (e.g., conforming to SIP, H.323, and/or MGCP/MEGACO, etc.        protocols), fax, printer, scanner, computer, multimedia device,        cordless, wireless, etc.); network connection of the device        (e.g., POTS, cable, IP, ethernet, wireless, 802.11b, etc.);        processing ability, memory, user interface, upgradablity,        addressability, etc., of the device;    -   user connection address—an identifier via which other users can        communicate via the service provider's network with the user,        such as an e-mail address, a telephone number, an IP address,        etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Internet telephony, packet communications, home networks, and otherinnovations are driving a need to change the way that communicationdevices (telephones, computers, multimedia devices, etc.) that attach toa service provider's network, are identified, provisioned, served, andbilled. Opportunities exist to dramatically reduce the time/laborrequired to provision services on these new devices.

In certain exemplary embodiments, a “Network Agent” can control accessto a service provider's network. The Network Agent can be implemented insoftware, firmware, and/or hardware. The Network Agent can beimplemented in a network interface, network gateway, and/or within thenetwork. The Network Agent can act as a proxy between a private network(e.g., wired or wireless, LAN, IP-based home and/or enterprise network)and the public network and/or can allow administration of theprivate/public boundary.

In certain exemplary embodiments, a user can:

-   -   1. Subscribe to a service provider network and obtain a “Network        Agent” interface.    -   2. Obtain a new communications device (such as a handset or        computer)    -   3. Use the new devices to access the service provider network        provisioning process to request service    -   4. Have services authorized by the service provider    -   5. Provision services delivered by the service provider network

A typical scenario might be as follows: a customer contacts a serviceprovider to obtain service, and is provided with a high bandwidthconnection (e.g. cable, DSL, fixed-wireless, fiber, or free-spaceoptics, etc.) and a local “Network Agent” (perhaps housed in aninterface unit such as a “set-top box”) equipped with a wireless “homebase stations”. At this point the customer is free to purchase devices(e.g. telephones, computers, multimedia devices) at retail outlets(e.g., RadioShack, CompUSA) and bring them home. The devices could thenregister through the Network Agent with the service provider's network,could be provided with a suite of service options, and could be providedwith a network connection/contact address (e.g. telephone number, e-mailaddress, IP address, username, etc.). Thus, communication devices can beidentified and attached to a service provider's network and/or can beautomatically provisioned for services. Such automatic provisioning canreduce labor costs for the service provider (by reducing and/oreliminating installation labor), increase customer adoption rate (byproviding a low barrier to acceptance), and/or provide a competitiveadvantage over the LEC's (by providing faster service provisioning).

In certain exemplary embodiments, the process can be encapsulated insoftware that resides at the customer's premises inside the NetworkAgent, Interface Device, or Gateway and within the Network. Withwireless gateways for IEEE 802.11b available at retail (buy.com, etcetera), this process can allow any Multiple System Operator (MSO) tooffer second line voice services to cable modem customers, with littleadded cost.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000,which can comprise one or more communications devices 1100, 1200, 1300.Communications device 1100, 1200, and/or 1300 can be coupled, connected,and/or installed on a local area network 1400. Also coupled, connected,and/or installed on a local area network 1400 can be an informationdevice 1500 running a network agent 1550, which can detect one or morecapabilities 1120, 1220, 1320 of communications devices 1100, 1200,1300, respectively.

Information device 1500 can be coupled, connected, and/or installed on aservice provider's network 1600. Also coupled, connected, and/orinstalled on a service provider's network 1600, can be one or moreservers 1700, 1800. Server 1700, possibly utilizing a database 1740coupled thereto, can provide one or more services 1720 via network 1600to agent 1550, and/or communications device 1100, 1200, and/or 1300.Server 1800, possibly utilizing a database 1840 coupled thereto, canprovide one or more services 1820 via network 1600 to agent 1550, and/orcommunications device 1100, 1200, and/or 1300.

Each communications device 1100, 1200, 1300 can comprise a userinterface 1140, 1240, 1340, respectively, via which one or more serviceoptions 1160, 1260, 1360, respectively, relating to the serviceprovider's network 1600 can be rendered to a user of communicationsdevice 1100, 1200, 1300. Service options 1140, 1240, 1340 can relate tonetwork 1600, services 1720, 1820 available via network 1600, and/orcapabilities 1120, 1220, 1320 of communications devices 1100, 1200,1300.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method 2000. Atactivity 2100, a network agent can be provided for installation on auser's premises. The agent can be provided upon user request. The agentcan be adapted to couple to a service provider's network via a physicalconnection, which can comprise for example, a modem (e.g., cable, DSL,telephone, wireless), optical fiber connection, and/or free-space opticsconnection, etc. The agent can be adapted to couple to a local areanetwork associated with the user's premises.

At activity 2200, the agent can automatically detect installation of acommunications device on the local area network. The communicationsdevice can be any information device, such as a computer, telephone,multimedia device, etc.

At activity 2300, via a detector coupled to and/or integral to theagent, the agent can automatically detect one or more capabilities ofthe communications device.

At activity 2400, via a user interface of the communications device, auser can be automatically offered one or more user-selectable serviceoptions relating to the service provider's network, which can includeone or more services and/or one or more servers. The one or moreuser-selectable service options can relate to at least one capability ofthe communications device. The user-selectable service options can beprovided before, after, and/or irregardless of, registration of thecommunications device with the service provider's network.

At activity 2500, the communications device and/or network agent can becommunicatively coupled to the service provider's network. Thus, thecommunications device and/or network agent can communicate with one ormore agents, services, and/or servers on the service provider's network.

At activity 2600, the service provider's network can automaticallyreceive from the communications device and/or network agent informationsufficient to register the communication device and/or the network agentand/or one can receive or more user-selected service options. Based onthe received information and/or service options, the service provider'snetwork can authorize the user, the communications device, and/or thenetwork agent to receive and/or access one or more services and/orservers of the service provider's network.

For example, upon registration of a communications device, and assumingthat certain user-selectable service options have not yet already beenprovided by the agent, the network can provide user-selectable serviceoptions catered to the communications device. For instance, if thedevice is an IP phone lacking a display, the selectable service optionscan relate to non-visual user interface services, such as push buttonand/or spoken commands for voicemail management, call forwarding, callerID, etc.

As another example, via registration and/or receipt of user-selectableservice options, the service provider's network could recognize that thecommunications device is a telephone connected to the service provider'snetwork via cable modem, and could then offer competitive local exchangecarrier (CLEC) telephone service to the user and/or communicationsdevice.

As yet another example, via receipt of registration information and/orservice options, the service provider's network could download anupdated user manual, user interface, operating system, patch, securitysoftware, applications, clients, agents, wizards, set-up wizards, etc.to the communications device.

At activity 2700, the service provider's network can automaticallyprovide a user connection address to the network agent and/or thecommunications device. The user connection address can be, for example,a telephone number, e-mail address, IP address, etc.

Upon provision of the user connection address, the communications devicecan utilize the user connection address to obtain one or more services(e.g., telephone service, IP telephony e-mail, newsgroups, FTP, webaccess, chat, voicemail, electronic fax, integrated messaging, etc.)from the service provider's network. Via the user connection addressand/or the registration of the communication device and/or networkagent, the service provider's network can account for a service providedto the communications device via the service provider's network.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an informationdevice 3000, which can represent any of communication devices 1100,1200, 1300, 1500, and/or any servers 1700, 1800 of FIG. 1. Informationdevice 3000 can comprise any of numerous well-known components, such asfor example, one or more network interfaces 3100, one or more processors3200, one or more memories 3300 containing instructions 3400, one ormore input/output (I/O) devices 3500, and/or one or more user interfaces3600 coupled to I/O device 3500, etc. User interface 3600 can be used torender user-selectable service options to a user of information device3000.

As used herein, the term “information device” means any device capableof processing information, such as any general purpose and/or specialpurpose computer, such as a personal computer, workstation, server,minicomputer, mainframe, supercomputer, computer terminal, laptop,wearable computer, and/or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), mobileterminal, Bluetooth device, communicator, “smart” phone (such as aHandspring Treo-like device), messaging service (e.g., Blackberry)receiver, pager, facsimile, cellular telephone, a traditional telephone,telephonic device, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and/orperipheral integrated circuit elements, an ASIC or other integratedcircuit, a hardware electronic logic circuit such as a discrete elementcircuit, and/or a programmable logic device such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, orPAL, or the like, etc. In general any device on which resides a finitestate machine capable of implementing at least a portion of a method,structure, and/or or graphical user interface described herein may beused as an information device. An information device can includewell-known components such as one or more network interfaces, one ormore processors, one or more memories containing instructions, and/orone or more input/output (I/O) devices, one or more user interfaces,etc.

As used herein, the term “network interface” means any device, system,or subsystem capable of coupling an information device to a network. Forexample, a network interface can be a telephone, cellular phone,cellular modem, telephone data modem, fax modem, wireless transceiver,ethernet card, cable modem, digital subscriber line interface, bridge,hub, router, or other similar device.

As used herein, the term “processor” means a device for processingmachine-readable instruction. A processor can be a central processingunit, a local processor, a remote processor, parallel processors, and/ordistributed processors, etc. The processor can be a general-purposemicroprocessor, such the Pentium III series of microprocessorsmanufactured by the Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. In anotherembodiment, the processor can be an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that has beendesigned to implement in its hardware and/or firmware at least a part ofan embodiment disclosed herein.

As used herein, a “memory device” means any hardware element capable ofdata storage, such as for example, a non-volatile memory, volatilememory, Random Access Memory, RAM, Read Only Memory, ROM, flash memory,magnetic media, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an opticalmedia, an optical disk, a compact disk, a CD, a digital versatile disk,a DVD, and/or a raid array, etc.

As used herein, the term “firmware” means machine-readable instructionsthat are stored in a read-only memory (ROM). ROM's can comprise PROMsand EPROMs.

As used herein, the term “I/O device” means any sensory-oriented inputand/or output device, such as an audio, visual, haptic, olfactory,and/or taste-oriented device, including, for example, a monitor,display, projector, overhead display, keyboard, keypad, mouse,trackball, joystick, gamepad, wheel, touchpad, touch panel, pointingdevice, microphone, speaker, video camera, camera, scanner, printer,haptic device, vibrator, tactile simulator, and/or tactile pad,potentially including a port to which an I/O device can be attached orconnected.

As used herein, the term “haptic” means both the human sense ofkinesthetic movement and the human sense of touch. Among the manypotential haptic experiences are numerous sensations, body-positionaldifferences in sensations, and time-based changes in sensations that areperceived at least partially in non-visual, non-audible, andnon-olfactory manners, including the experiences of tactile touch (beingtouched), active touch, grasping, pressure, friction, traction, slip,stretch, force, torque, impact, puncture, vibration, motion,acceleration, jerk, pulse, orientation, limb position, gravity, texture,gap, recess, viscosity, pain, itch, moisture, temperature, thermalconductivity, and thermal capacity.

As used herein, the term “user interface” means any device for renderinginformation to a user and/or requesting information from the user. Auser interface includes at least one of textual, graphical, audio,video, animation, and/or haptic elements. A textual element can beprovided, for example, by a printer, monitor, display, projector, etc. Agraphical element can be provided, for example, via a monitor, display,projector, and/or visual indication device, such as a light, flag,beacon, etc. An audio element can be provided, for example, via aspeaker, microphone, and/or other sound generating and/or receivingdevice. A video element or animation element can be provided, forexample, via a monitor, display, projector, and/or other visual device.A haptic element can be provided, for example, via a very low frequencyspeaker, vibrator, tactile stimulator, tactile pad, simulator, keyboard,keypad, mouse, trackball, joystick, gamepad, wheel, touchpad, touchpanel, pointing device, and/or other haptic device, etc.

A user interface can include one or more textual elements such as, forexample, one or more letters, number, symbols, etc. A user interface caninclude one or more graphical elements such as, for example, an image,photograph, drawing, icon, window, title bar, panel, sheet, tab, drawer,matrix, table, form, calendar, outline view, frame, dialog box, statictext, text box, list, pick list, pop-up list, pull-down list, menu, toolbar, dock, check box, radio button, hyperlink, browser, button, control,palette, preview panel, color wheel, dial, slider, scroll bar, cursor,status bar, stepper, and/or progress indicator, etc. A textual and/orgraphical element can be used for selecting, programming, adjusting,changing, specifying, etc. an appearance, background color, backgroundstyle, border style, border thickness, foreground color, font, fontstyle, font size, alignment, line spacing, indent, maximum data length,validation, query, cursor type, pointer type, autosizing, position,and/or dimension, etc. A user interface can include one or more audioelements such as, for example, a volume control, pitch control, speedcontrol, voice selector, and/or one or more elements for controllingaudio play, speed, pause, fast forward, reverse, etc. A user interfacecan include one or more video elements such as, for example, elementscontrolling video play, speed, pause, fast forward, reverse, zoom-in,zoom-out, rotate, and/or tilt, etc. A user interface can include one ormore animation elements such as, for example, elements controllinganimation play, pause, fast forward, reverse, zoom-in, zoom-out, rotate,tilt, color, intensity, speed, frequency, appearance, etc. A userinterface can include one or more haptic elements such as, for example,elements utilizing tactile stimulus, force, pressure, vibration, motion,displacement, temperature, etc.

Still other embodiments will become readily apparent to those skilled inthis art from reading the above-recited detailed description anddrawings of certain exemplary embodiments. It should be understood thatnumerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments arepossible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, andembodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. For example, regardless of the content of anyportion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, abstract, drawingfigure, etc.) of this application, unless clearly specified to thecontrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim of theapplication of any particular described or illustrated activity orelement, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particularinterrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity can berepeated, any activity can be performed by multiple entities, and/or anyelement can be duplicated. Further, any activity or element can beexcluded, the sequence of activities can vary, and/or theinterrelationship of elements can vary. Accordingly, the descriptionsand drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not asrestrictive. Moreover, when any number or range is described herein,unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate.When any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise,that range includes all values therein and all subranges therein. Anyinformation in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United Statespatent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated byreference herein, is only incorporated by reference to the extent thatno conflict exists between such information and the other statements anddrawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including aconflict that would render a claim invalid, then any such conflictinginformation in such incorporated by reference material is specificallynot incorporated by reference herein.

1. A method, comprising: in response to a user's request for at leastone service relating to a service provider's network, providing an agentfor installation on the user's premises and for coupling to the serviceprovider's network via a physical connection; automatically detecting atthe agent an installation of a communications device to a local networkcoupled to the agent, the communications device being a telephonelacking a display; and automatically offering via the communicationsdevice a plurality user-selectable service options relating to theservice provider's network and relating to at least one capability ofthe communications device, the at least one capability detected by theagent, the plurality of user-selectable service options related tonon-visual user interface services; and in response to a selection of atleast one service option from the plurality of service options,providing via the agent a user connection address.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving the user's request for at leastone service relating to the service provider's network.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: coupling the agent to the serviceprovider's network.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: beforeregistration of the communications device with the service provider'snetwork, detecting the at least one capability of the communicationsdevice, the plurality of user-selectable service options comprisingdownloading an updated user manual.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: registering the communications device with the serviceprovider's network, the communications device being a telephone coupledto the service provider's network via a cable modem, the plurality ofuser-selectable service options comprising a competitive local exchangecarrier telephone service.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:accounting for a service provided to the communications device via theservice provider's network.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thephysical connection comprises a cable modem.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the physical connection comprises a DSL modem.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the physical connection comprises a telephone modem.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical connection comprises awireless modem.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the physicalconnection comprises an optical fiber connection.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the physical connection comprises a free-space opticsconnection.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications deviceis a computer.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicationsdevice is a telephone lacking a display, the plurality ofuser-selectable service options related to non-visual user interfaceservices, the non-visual user interface services comprising push buttonservices for caller ID.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein thecommunications device is a multimedia device.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein the user connection address is a telephone number.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the user connection address is an e-mailaddress.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the user connection addressis an IP address.
 19. A memory device comprising instructions forperforming activities comprising: in response to an user's request forat least one service relating to a service provider's network, providingan agent for installation on the user's premises and for coupling to theservice provider's network via a physical connection; automaticallydetecting at the agent an installation of a communications device to alocal network coupled to the agent, the communications device being atelephone lacking a display; automatically offering via thecommunications device a plurality of user-selectable service optionsrelating to the service provider's network and relating to at least onecapability of the communications device, the at least one capabilitydetected by the agent, the plurality of user-selectable service optionsrelated to non-visual user interface services; and in response to aselection of at least one service option from the plurality of serviceoptions, providing via the agent a user connection address.
 20. A systemcomprising: an agent provided in response to an user's request for atleast one service relating to a service provider's network, said agentprovided for installation on the user's premises and for coupling to theservice provider's network via a physical connection, said agentcomprising a detector adapted to automatically detect an installation ofan communications device on a local network coupled to said agent, thecommunications device being a telephone lacking a display; and a userinterface adapted to automatically offer via the communications device aplurality of user-selectable service options relating to the serviceprovider's network, the plurality of user-selectable service optionsrelated to non-visual user interface services, a selection of at leastone user-selectable service option from the plurality of user-selectableservice options automatically transmitted via said agent to the serviceprovider's network and resulting in the provision via said agent of auser connection address.